Hand your child one of these easy-to-assemble play kits, and she'll be in her own little world for hours.
Crafts by Jodi Levine from Parents Magazine
The Doctor
The Doctor
When clumsy Mr. Cuddles gets a boo-boo, she'll slap a bandage on the wound and have him fixed up before teatime.
THE KIT Zip Frosted Pouch (containerstore.com) personalized with sticker letters and a duct-taped Red Cross symbol
WHAT GOES INSIDE kid-size lab coat (allheart.com) stethoscope (learningresources.com) vision-screening chart (medexsupply.com) clipboard (poppin.com) reflex hammer (homesciencetools.com) various first-aid supplies
The Restaurateur
The Restaurateur
There's no telling what play-dough recipes your child will serve up.
THE KIT Clear bin (Our Men's Shoe Box, containerstore.com). Personalize and tape to the lid.
WHAT GOES INSIDE chef's hat (kng.com) play dough recipe binder (cshousehold.com) order books (amazon.com) twill apron (joann.com) open/closed sign (for similar styles; homedepot.com) kitchen tools
The Explorer
The Explorer
Don't worry—we didn't include any live critters in this kit. But we can't promise your kid won't add them!
THE KIT Canvas drawstring backpack (apparelchoice.com). Personalize and print onto fabric transfer paper (staples.com) and iron onto backpack.
WHAT GOES INSIDE binoculars made from cardboard tubes compass (spectrumscientifics.com) bug container maps bug net (Nature Bound Bug Net, amazon.com) magnifying glasses (orientaltrading .com) field notebook and pencil
The Secret Agent
The Secret Agent
She'll unravel an imaginary mystery and catch the town criminal (aka her little brother).
THE KIT Canvas tool belt (amazon.com). Personalize and print onto fabric transfer paper (staples.com) and iron on.
WHAT GOES INSIDE disposable camera passports printed from parents.com/play-kits stick-on mustache disguises (partycity.com) and sunglasses magnifying glass (ultraoptix.com) invisible-ink pen (acedepot.com) and notebook decoder wheel available to print from parents.com/play-kits; cut out. Center the smaller circle on top of the larger one, and insert a paper fastener through both. old cell phone flashlight fingerprinting kit (baby powder, a makeup brush, clear tape) play suitcase (landofnod.com) decorated with luggage stickers (laughingelephant.com)
The Teacher
The Teacher
Your smarty-pants will command the classroom with these super-official school supplies—until it's time for recess, that is.
THE KIT Canvas tote bag (augustaactive.com) painted with chalkboard paint (michaels.com) and personalized with a chalk marker (michaels.com)
WHAT GOES INSIDE alphabet flash cards (trendenterprises.com) plastic-whistle expandable key chain (orientaltrading.com) lesson planner (elanpublish.com) blank certificates (Geographics Parchment Paper Certificates, amazon.com) handheld chalkboard (joann.com) and chalk various school supplies
